Interlocking puzzle

ABSTRACT

A PUZZLE FORMED OF A PLURALITY OF INTERFITTING PIECES WHICH ARE INTERLOCKED WITH PINS. THE PINS ARE ATTACHED TO CORRESPONDING PUZZLE PIECES. EACH OF THE PINS HAVE PORTIONS FORMED WITH A NOTCH. THE PINS EXTEND THROUGH HOLES IN ONE OR MORE OF THE ADJACENT INTERFITTING PIECES AND LOCKING MEANS, SUCH AS OTHER PINS EXTEND THROUGH THE NOTCHES TO LOCK TOGETHER THE PINS AND THE PIECES TO WHICH THEY ARE ATTACHED. THE PUZZLE CAN BE UNLOCKED BY THE REMOVAL OF THE PIECES IN A DEFINITE SEQUENCE.

March 20, 1973 c. J. YOUNG INTERLOCKING PUZZLE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 24, 1971 INVENTOR 63mm 5 J you/v6 6. YOUNG INTERLOCKING PUZZLE March 20, 197 3 2 sheets-Sheet. 2

Filed March 24,- 1971 United States Patent 3,721,446 INTERLOCKING PUZZLE Charles .1. Young, 78 Stockton St., Princeton, NJ. 08540 Filed Mar. 24, 1971, Ser. No. 127,554 Int. Cl. A63f 9/12 US. Cl. 273157 R 3 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention is directed to a puzzle comprising a plurality of interfitting pieces which are interlocked together with pins. In the puzzle a pin is attached at one end to one of the interfitting pieces. The pin has a portion formed with a notch which extends through a hole in a second one of the inter'fitting pieces. Locking means positioned within the second piece of the puzzle fits within the notch to lock the pin and prevent its removal from the second puzzle piece.

The means, locking the puzzle pieces together, takes several forms. One means comprises a second pin fixed at one end to a third one of the puzzle pieces and extending through a second hole in the second puzzle piece. The second pin intersects the first pin within the notch and thus prevents removal of the first pin. The locking portion of the second pin can be removed from the notch by a withdrawal of the second pin from the notch by either a longitudinal or rotational movement of the second pin, or by a combination of these movements. Another locking device for the first pin is a weighted piece, which is positioned by gravity within the notch and can be removed by turning the puzzle over.

FIG. 1 is a plan view, partially in section of a puzzle in accordance to several embodiments of the invention.

FIGS. 2-5 are partial sectional views taken on corresponding section lines 1-1, 2--2, 3-3, and 55 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a plan view, partially in section of another puzzle, in accordance With other embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1 schematically discloses a puzzle having several embodiments of the invention. The puzzle, having an outline of a seal, comprises a plurality of interfitting pieces identified by even reference numbers 12 through 32. The interfitting pieces are locked together by a plurality of pins 12p, 14p, 18p, 26;), 28p, 30p, and 32;). In accordance with a feature of the invention, most of the pins in turn are locked and cannot readily be removed until the looking means are removed.

Pin 12p is fixed at one end in puzzle piece 12 and slidably extends through aligned holes in pieces 14, 16, 18, 20 and 22. In a similar manner pin 14p is fixed at one end to piece 14 and slidably extends through other aligned holes in puzzle pieces 16, 18 and 20. Another pin 26p is fixed at one end to piece 26 and extends successively through aligned holes in pieces 24, 22 and 20. Pin 26p intersects pins 12p and 14p in respective notches. 12m and 14n. As viewed in FIG. 2, pin 26p is offset below the axes of pins 12p and 14p, which are substantially in a common plane.

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Notch 1412 of pin 14p fits around and over the end of pin 26p only sufficiently loose to permit withdrawal of pin 26 from the notch 14n. Otherwise the fit of notch 14:2 around pin 26 snugly locks pin 14p to pin 26p, and thus locks pieces 14, 16, 18 and 20 together. Notch 1211 is elongated, as indicated in FIG. 1 which permits only partial withdrawal of pin 12p from piece 22 while pin 26p remains within the notch 12n. The presence of pin 26p within notch 1211 locks pin 12p within piece 22, except for the limited withdrawal movement.

Pin 26p in turn is locked in its position, shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 by a weighted metal piece in the shape of a disc 34 positioned in a recess 36 formed in piece 22 and within a notch 26m in pin 26p. FIG. 1 indicates the greater width of disc 34 than the diameter of the hole in piece 22, through which pin 26p extends. FIGS. 2 and 3 disclose the locking position of disc 34, which prevents the withdrawal of pin 26p from puzzle piece 22. When the puzzle is turned over and as illustrated in FIG. 4, gravity causes the disc 34 to fall out of the notch 26m into the recess 36 to thus release pin 26p for withdrawal from piece 22.

Pin 3tlp is fixed at one end within puzzle piece 30 and extends successively through aligned holes respectively formed in pieces 28, 26, 24, 22 and 20. Pin 30p is offset from and extends below pin 12p, as viewed in FIG. 1. Pin 30m forms an intersection with pin 12p. A notch 3012 is formed in pin 30p at this intersection with pin 12p and fits around pin 12p, whereby pin 30p is is locked against withdrawal. Removal of pin 12;) from notch 30m, as described below, unlocks pin 30p at this intersection with pin 12p.

Pin 32p is fixed at one end to piece 32 and movably extends through a hole in piece 20 above pin 30p, as viewed in FIG. 1, to an intersection with pin 30p. A second notch 30m is formed in a pin 30p at this intersection with pin 32p (FIG. 5). Pin 32p has a portion positioned within slot 30m (FIG. 5), which locks pin 30p within piece 20 and prevents its withdrawal. Pin 32 has a notch 32m formed in its upper surface as seen in FIGS. 1 and 5. This notch 32m is part of a cylindrical surface formed with its axis at an angle with the axis of pin 32p, which is the supplement of the angle that the axes of pins 30p and 32p make with each other. Thus, when pins 32p is rotated from its position, as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 5, notch 32m is aligned with pin 30p and pin 30p can be withdrawn from piece 20, when it is unlocked by pin 12p.

Pin 18p is fixed at one end to piece 18 and extends through a hole in piece 20 and below pin 32p into an intersection with pin 32p, as viewed in FIG. 1. At this intersection, an annular notch 32n is formed in pin 32p. Extension of pin 18p into notch 32n locks pin 32p in piece 20 until pin 18p is removed from the notch to permit withdrawal of the pin 32p. Notch 3211 is annular to permit the 180 rotation of pin 32p to unlock pin 30p.

Pin 2812 is fixed in its central portion in piece 28 and its two ends extend movably through aligned holes respectively in pieces 26 and 30. This pin 28p serves to hold the three pieces 30, 28 and 26 together and prevents the rotation of pieces 28 and 30 about pin 30p.

An inspection of FIG. 1 indicates that each one of the interlocking pieces of the puzzle, except for piece 12, has at least two pins fixed to or passing through the piece. This arrangement prevents the pieces from pivoting relative to each other around one of the pins and retains all the pieces fixed relative to each other, except for a sliding movement along one or more pins. Furthermore, two or more pins extending into or through most of the pieces, except for pieces 12, 28 and 30, are not parallel with each other, so that no piece can be slid away from an adjacent piece unless one or more of the pins is removed from the piece. Also, except for pins 28p and 18p, each of the other pins is locked at one or more intersections by another pin.

To take apart the puzzle of FIG. 1, the following procedure may be followed. Piece 32 is rotated 180 to remove the locking portion of pin 32p from the notch 30m and unlock pin 30p at this intersection. Pin 12 is partially withdrawn by moving piece 12 outwardly along the axis of pin 12p. This movement, as permitted by the elongated notch 1212, is only sufiicient to place a notch 12m, formed in pin 12p, at the intersection of pins 12p and 30p and to permit 30p to now be withdrawn by sliding piece 30 away from piece 28. Removal of pin 30p and piece 30 frees piece 28, which can be removed. To unlock pin 26p, the puzzle is turned upside down and locking disc 34 falls into the recess 36 in piece 22. In this position of the puzzle, pin 26p is freed and the piece 26 is slid away from piece 24 until pin 26p is fully withdrawn. This unlocks pins 12p and 14p. Piece 12 can then be removed and pin 12p is withdrawn from pieces 14, 16, 18, 20 and 22. With the removal of pins 30p, 26p, and 12p from piece 22, it falls away. Piece 14 can now be removed as pin 14p is free to be withdrawn by the removal of piece 12. Piece 16 falls away and permits the withdrawal of pin 18;) and the removal of piece 18. The withdrawal of pin 18p from notch 3211 unlocks pin 32p, which was also previously unlocked by the withdrawal of pin 30p. Pin 32p can now be withdrawn and piece 32 separated from piece 20. The puzzle is reassembled in the reverse order.

In accordance with a feature of the invention there is provided a three-pin system comprising a first pin locked to one of the interfitting puzzle pieces; a second locking pin for locking the first pin into the puzzle; and a third limiting pin which permits movement of the second pin to an unlocking position to release the first pin. However, the limiting pin limits the movement of the second pin to or beyond its unlocking position and prevents withdrawal of the locking pin from the puzzle.

One example of the three-pin system in FIG. 1 is illustrated by the three pins 30p, 12p, and 26p. The first pin 20p is locked to interfitting piece 22 by the second, locking pin 12p extending through notch 3011. As described, pin 30p is unlocked from piece 22 by withdrawing pin 12p until the unlocking notch 12m is positioned at the intersection of pins 12p and 30p. This unlocking movement of pin 12p is limited by the third pin 26p and the elongated notch 1211, which prevents withdrawal of the unlocking pin 12p from the puzzle. Another example of the three-pin system is illustrated in FIG. 1 by the three pins 30p, 32p and 18p. Pin 30p is locked in the interfitting piece 20 by the second, locking pin 32p extending through notch 30m. As described, pin 30p is unlocked from piece 20 by rotating pin 32p about its longitudinal axis until the unlocking notch 32m is positioned at the intersection of pins 30p and 32p. The pin 32p is limited to only a rotational movement by the third limiting pin 18p, which also prevents the withdrawal of pin 32 from the puzzle. The rotation of pin 32p moves the unlocking notch 32m through the unlocking position so that pin 30p is locked again unless notch 32m is aligned with pin 20p.

The two three-pin systems operate independently of each other, and only one of the systems is needed to lock pin 30p into the puzzle. The limiting pins require more skill to take the puzzle apart, as the locking pins 12p and 32p cannot be completely withdrawn to provide the unlocking of pin 30p, but must be moved to an exact position to unlock pin 30p. Any other position of pins 12p and 32p, to which they are limited by pins 26p and 18p, respectively, will retain pin 30p locked into the puzzle.

Several types of interlocks at the intersections of the pins are described, but are not limiting. Thus, it is within the scope of this invention to modify or utilize the locking means in other arrangements. For example, notch 32m could be angularly displaced a small amount from its unlocking position instead of its angular displacement, as described. Thus, piece 32 need only be turned through the same angle to bring notch 32m into position to permit withdrawal of pin 30p. Annular notch 3211 need only to extend around pin 32p a sufiicient distance to permit pin 32p to be turned through this angle. Also, notch 12m could be angularly displaced about the axis of pin 12p, so that, to bring notch 12m into an unlocking position at the intersection with pin 30p, pin 12p needs both to be partially withdrawn to bring notch 12m to the intersection with pin 30p and then rotated about its axis to remove the locking portion of pin 12p from the intersection and free pin 30p for withdrawal. Alternatively, notch 12m could be formed at the intersection of pin 12p with pin 30;; and only angularly displaced around the axis of pin 12p. Thus, pin 12p need only be rotated to free pin 30p. In this latter case, the interfitting surfaces of pieces 12 and 1 4 must be of a. nature to permit such rotation.

As shown in FIG. 1, the free other end of pin 12p is within the notch 3011 of pin 30p and prevents its with drawal until notch 12m is positioned at the intersection of pin 12p and 30p. However, this end of pin 12p need only to extend within the notch 3011 to lock pin 30p, and thus pin 12p need only be long enough that the partial withdrawal of pin 12p, allowed for'by the elongated notch 1211, unolcks pin 30p. As described above, at the intersection of pins 12p and 30p, pin 12p locks pin 30p. Alternatively, notch 12m could be elongated to include this intersection of the pins and notch 3011 could be eliminated, so that pin 30p locks pin 12p except for the partial withdrawal of pin 12p, permitted by the elongated notches 1211 and 12m.

Although the outline configuration of the puzzle is a seal, any desired shape or configuration lends itself to the locking embodiments of the invention. Other configurations could be a map, a vase of flowers, or a type of modern art or sculpture. The pieces need not be planar, nor form a flat configuration when assembled, as they can be block-like, with a thickness near the other two dimensions. The configuration could be a statue of a human figure, for example. The parts and pieces of the puzzle also can be of any material, molded or shaped, or cast, as may lend itself to the design desired.

As shown, the puzzle is of an animal. The pieces are locked together so that the puzzle can be free standing or even hung from a support. The interfitting surfaces can be formed along natural lines of the figure, as shown. The interlocking surfaces may be formed along the stripes of a zebra or tiger, for example, giving a more natural appearance to the design.

The pins are shown as straight pins. It is also within the scope of the invention to use curved pins which can be removed by withdrawing the piece to which the curved pin is attached by an arcuate withdrawal movement.

FIG. 6 schematically shows a similar puzzle in the configuration of an alligator. The puzzle comprises fiat interlocking pieces numbered consecutively from 52 through 67. Pieces 67, 52, 53, 54 and 55 are resiliently held together by a resilient assembly including a pin 67p, which is attached at one end to a coil spring 68, the other end of which is connected by a flexible line 69 to a nail 70, driven into piece 67. As shown, the one end of spring 68 is pivotally hooked to the adjacent end of pin 67p. The flexible line 69 may be fire or a plastic fish line. The free end of line 69 is formed with a loop, which i removably passed over the head of nail 70 and held thereby.

Pin 67p slidably extends into a hole in puzzle piece 55 and is locked into this position by a pin 66p, which is schematically shown as a single line. Pin 66p is fixedly attached at one end to piece 66 and passes successively through aligned holes in pieces 65, 54, 55 and 56. Pin 66p also passes through a notch 6712 at its intersection with pin 67p. As viewed in FIG. 6, the axis of pin 66p is offset below the axis of pin 67p, and passes under pin 67p through the notch 6711 and locks pin 67p in piece 55.

Spring 68 is tensioned between the locked pin 67p and line 69 and the assembly of line 69, tensioned spring 68 and locked pin 67p, resiliently holds puzzle pieces 67, 52, 53, 54 and 55 together.

Pin 66p also passes under pin 64p, which is also schematically shown as a solid line in FIG. 6. Pin 64p is fixedly attached at one end to piece 64 and slidably extends through an aligned hole in puzzle piece 55 and through a notch 66n in the upper surface of pin 66p, at the intersection of pin 64p with pin 66p. Notch 6611 is indicated as a downwardly extending loop in FIG. 6. Pin 64p extending through notch 66n, locks pin 66p within piece 55 and prevents its removal from piece 55. Pin 64p has a notch 641: formed in its under surface, as indicated by the upwardly extending loop in FIG. 6. Notch 6411 is formed between the intersection of pin 64p with pin 66p and the free end of pin 64p. The partial withdrawl of pin 64p positions notch 6411 at the intersection of pins 64p and 66p and unlocks pin 66p from piece 55.

The free end of pin 66;; extends slidably through an aligned hole in piece 56 and into an intersection with pin 63p, which is fixedly attached at one end, as indicated, to puzzle piece 63 and extends above pin 66p at their intersection, as viewed in FIG. 6. At this intersection, pin 63p, 2

is formed in its under surface with a notch 63, as indicated by the upwardly extending loop, through which pin 66p passes to lock pin 63p within piece 56. Pin 63p also passes through a notch 5511 formed in the under surface of a pin 55p, as indicated by the upwardly extending loop, Pin 55p is fixedly attached at one end to piece 55 and slidably extends through an aligned hole in piece 56 into its intersection with pin 63p. Pin 63p thus locks pin 55p within the piece 56.

Puzzle pieces 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61 and 62 are also resiliently held together by a pin and spring arrangement, in which a pin 62p is attached through a coil spring 72 to the piece 62. As indicated in FIG. 6, one end of pin 62p is attached to one end of spring 72. The other end of spring 72 is pinned to piece 62. Pin 62p is locked within piece 56 by the pin 63p, schematically represented by a line. Pin 63p extends through a notch 62m in the upper surface of pin 62p at the intersection of pins 62p and 63p. The axes of pins 62p and 63p are offset from each other at the intersection of the pins, and pin 63p passes over pin 62p, as viewed in FIG. 6 and locks pin 62p within piece 56.

With pin 62p locked within piece 56, spring 72 is tensioned so that the interfitting pieces 56, 57, 58, S9, 60, 61 and 62 are resiliently held together. This permits the tail of the alligator to flex. Pin 54p is fixed attached as indicated, to piece 54 and extends into an aligned hole in piece 53 to hold pieces 53 and 54 together.

To take the puzzle apart, piece 64 is slid away from piece 55 only enough to move notch 6412 into the intersection with pin 66p. This unlocks pin 66p from piece 55 and permits pin 66p to be fully withdrawn to unlock pins 63p, 64p and 67p at their intersections respectively with pin 66p. Partial withdrawal of pin 63p removes pin 63;) from notch 5571 and unlocks pin 55 This also moves piece 63 from blocking piece 64 so that it can be withdrawn by pulling pin out of piece 55. The puzzle can then be separated by sliding pieces 55 and 56 apart along the pin 55p.

Because of the tension of spring 72, pin 63p is not readily withdrawn through notch 6211, because the resiliently loaded pin 62p binds pin 63p as notch 6371 slides into the intersection with pin 62p. Pin 63p can readily be released by returning the pin 63p to its position shown in FIG. 6 and then binding pin 62pin position by forcing pieces 56 and 57 in opposite directions against pin 62;). This prevents pin 62p from slipping into notch 6311 as pin 63p is withdrawn. Pin 63p can then be withdrawn to unlock pin 62p from piece 56. Pieces 57, 58, 59, 60, 61 and 62 can then be separated.

With the withdrawal of pin 66p, piece 65 can be withdrawn and pin 67p can be slipped out of piece 55. Pieces 54, 53, 52, and 67 can then be separated from the assembly of pin 67p, spring 68 and line 69.

A realistic touch to the alligator is the movable jaw piece 67. One end of the jaw piece 67 has a cylindrical hinge surface 74 fitting within a matching surface of piece 52. With the puzzle together, spring 68 acting through the line 69 on nail 70 holds jaw piece 67 resiliently against head piece 52. Jaw piece 67 can be manually pulled downwardly against the action of spring 68, viewed in FIG. 6, to open the alligators mounth. Release of jaw piece 67 will allow it to snap back into a closed position. A threaded screw 76 extends from piece 53 through piece 52 and locks these pieces together. The end of screw 76 extends into a notch 78 in the cylindrical surface 74 of piece 67 and limits the opening movement of jaw piece 67 and keeps jaw piece 67 in plane with piece 52.

A weighted lever 80 is pivoted in piece 53 and has one end extending into the mouth cavity 82 of the head piece 52. As the jaw piece 67 is opened a bent down lock portion 84 of lever 80 rides down behind the head of nail 70 and holds the jaw piece open, when it is released. The other end of lever 80 pivots upwardly and moves an operating pin 86 into position above the surface of piece 53. Manual pressure on pin 86 rotates lever clockwise, as viewed in FIG. 6, and lock portion 84 releases the head of nail 70 and allows the jaw piece 67 to snap into the closed position under the action of spring 68.

I claim:

1. A puzzle comprising a plurality of interfitting pieces, a first pin attached at one end to a first one of said interfitting pieces and having a portion removably extending through a hole in a second one of said pieces, said pin having a first notch formed in said portion, a second locking pin fixed at one end to a third one of said interfitting pieces and removably extending through a second hole in said second piece, said locking pin having a locking portion extending into a first intersection with said first pin within said first notch, said locking pin having a second notch of a size to permit passage therethrough of said first pin when said second notch is positioned at said intersection, said second notch being displaced from said locking portion of said second pin wherein said second pin is moved to position said second notch at said intersection to unlock said first pin, said second pin being formed with a third notch positioned within one of said interfitting pieces, and a third limiting pin fixed at one end to a fourth one of said interfitting pieces and removably extending through said one of said interfitting pieces into said third notch, said limiting pin and said third notch being constructed and arranged to limit the movement of said locking pin and second notch through said intersection of said first and second pins.

2. A puzzle in accordance with claim 1, wherein said second notch is displaced along the longitudinal axis of said second pin from said locking portion of said second pin whereby said second pin is moved along its longitudinal axis to position said second notch at said intersection, said third notch being elongated and spaced along the axis of said second pin from said second notch, said third pin extending into said elongated third notch to prevent complete withdrawal of said second pin, said elongated notch being of a length to permit the positioning of said second notch at said first intersection by moving said second pin along its longitudinal axis.

3. A puzzle in accordance with claim 2, wherein said second notch is displaced angularly around the longitudinal axis of said second pin from said locking portion of said second pin whereby said second pin is rotated about its longitudinal axis to position said second notch at said intersection, said third notch being formed as an annular notch coaxial with the axis of said second pin,

7 8 said third pin extending into said annular third third 1,506,236 8/1924 Greer 70287 X notch to prevent withdrawal of said second pin. 530,862 12/ 1894 Teed 70289 X 2,469,364 5/1949 Boyle 273-160 References Cited 661,560 11/1900 Stall 70 2ss X C1,

895,710 8/1908 Allen 273156 7 2g9 

